An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

Some plead that there is no certain Form of Church-Government appointed in the Scripture; that there was none ordained by Christ, nor exemplified by the Apostles, and therefore it is in the power of the Magistrate to appoint any such form thereof, as is suited unto the public Interest. It would seem to follow more evidently, that no Form at all should by any be appointed; for what shall he do that cometh after the King? what shall any one ordain in the Church, which the Lord Christ thought not meet to ordain? And this is the proper inference from this consideration: Such a Church-Government as men imagine, Christ hath not appointed; therefore neither may men do so. But suppose that the Lord Christ hath appointed a Church-state, or that there should be Churches of his Disciples on the Earth; let them therein but yield Obedience unto all that he hath commanded; and in their so doing, make use of the light of nature, and rules of common prudence, so as to do it unto their own edification, (which to deny to be their duty, is to destroy their nature as created of God) trusting in all things unto the conduct of the promised Divine Assistance of the Holy Spirit: if any instance can be given of what is wanting unto the complete state and Rule of ⟨p. 145⟩the Church, we shall willingly allow that it be added by the Civil Magistrate, or whosoever men can agree upon, as was before declared. If it be said, there is yet something wanting to accommodate these Churches and their Rule unto the state of the Public Interest, and Political Government under which they are placed, whereon they may be framed into Churches Diocesan and Metropolitical, with such a Rule as they are capable of; I say (1.) That in their Original Constitution, they are more accommodated unto the Interest of all righteous Secular Government, than any Arbitrary moulding them unto a pretended meetness to comply therewithal, can attain unto. This we have proved before, and shall farther enlarge upon it, if it be required. And we find it by experience, that those Additions, Changes, and Alterations in the State, Order and Rule of the Churches, pretended for the end mentioned, have proved the cause of endless Contentions, which have no good aspect on the public peace, and will assuredly continue for ever so to be. (2.) It is granted that the Magistrate may dispose of many outward concerns of these Churches;

Some plead that there is no certain Form of Church-Government appointed in the Scripture; that there was none ordained by Christ, nor exemplifyed by the Apostles, and therefore it is in the power of the Magistrate to appoint any such form thereof, as is suited unto the publick Interest. It would seem to follow more evidently, that no Form at all should by any be appointed; for what shall he do that cometh after the King? what shall any one ordain in the Church, which the Lord Christ thought not meet to ordain? And this is the proper inference from this consideration: Such a Church-Government as men imagine, Christ hath not appointed; therefore neither may men do so. But suppose that the Lord Christ hath appointed a Church-state, or that there should be Churches of his Disciples on the Earth; let them therein but yeild Obedience unto all that he hath commanded; and in their so doing, make use of the light of nature, and rules of common prudence, so as to do it unto their own edification, (which to deny to be their duty, is to destroy their nature as created of God) trusting in all things unto the conduct of the promised Divine Assistance of the Holy Spirit: if any instance can be given of what is wanting unto the compleat state and Rule of